James Mackenzie acted as Boswell's servant during parts of his stay at Kames in October 1762. On October 22, 1762, Boswell writes about "the assistance of James Mackenzie, my Lord's servant, a Highlander who had taken a great attachment to me and whom I found to be greatly preferable to Walter [Urie]. James is a more experienced servant and has more assurance than the other, which I like, as I cannot help pitying a sheepish fellow. James had everything neat and clever for me, and run about with complacent agility to serve me".